European research-based Pharma fully supports an ambitious EU/India FTA

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), which represents research-based industry in Europe, sees an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India as a significant opportunity. Such an agreement will establish a long-term partnership with one of the world’s fastest growing economies and can help to deliver on Europe 2020 targets.

Speaking this week in the European Parliament at a Public Hearing organized by ALDE, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats group, EFPIA director general Brian Ager said: “An ambitious FTA will bring benefits to both European and Indian economies and citizens alike. With its strong science base, with its pool of graduates and with its existing expertise in pharmaceutical manufacture, India stands ready to make the transition to become a significant force in developing innovative therapies. With the correct provisions on intellectual property rights (IPRs) in place, the FTA can equip the Indian domestic industry to make this evolution.”

Mr Ager stressed that the EFPIA is in full agreement with the European Commission statements that the inclusion of provisions for IPRs will not impact the ability of the Indian generic industry to supply low-cost essential medicines to developing countries. There have been strong arguments against EU protection of IP, mostly notably by the humanitarian agency Medicines Sans Frontieres, which last year launched its “Hands off our medicines” campaign (The Pharma Letter October 12, 2010), which it has continued to pursue.